Aerial exposure and critical temperatures limit the survival of restored intertidal mussels

Benjamin, Emilee D.; Toone, Trevyn A.; Hillman, Jenny R.; Handley, Sean J.; Jeffs, Andrew

doi:10.1111/rec.14105

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 30 publications

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“…For these reasons, knowledge that can be applicable to the conservation and restoration of these systems ( e.g. , Clausing et al, 2023 ; Toone et al, 2023 ; Benjamin et al, 2024 ) is increasingly necessary.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in the composition of invertebrate assemblages from wave-exposed intertidal mussel stands along the Nova Scotia coast, Canada

Scrosati,

Ellrich

2024

PeerJ

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Rocky intertidal habitats occur worldwide and are mainly characterized by primary space holders such as seaweeds and sessile invertebrates. Some of these organisms are foundation species, as they can form structurally complex stands that host many small invertebrates. The abundance of primary space holders is known to vary along coastlines driven directly or indirectly by environmental variation. However, it is less clear if the invertebrate assemblages associated to a foundation species may remain relatively unchanged along coastlines, as similar stands of a foundation species can generate similar microclimates. We examined this question using abundance data for invertebrate species found in mussel stands of a similar structure in wave-exposed rocky habitats at mid-intertidal elevations along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia (Canada). While the most abundant invertebrate species were found at three locations spanning 315 km of coastline, species composition (a combined measure of species identity and their relative abundance) differed significantly among the locations. One of the species explaining the highest amount of variation among locations (a barnacle) exhibited potential signs of bottom-up regulation involving pelagic food supply, suggesting benthic–pelagic coupling. The abundance of the species that explained the highest amount of variation (an oligochaete) was positively related to the abundance of their predators (mites), further suggesting bottom-up forcing in these communities. Overall, we conclude that species assemblages associated to structurally similar stands of a foundation species can show clear changes in species composition at a regional scale.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in the composition of invertebrate assemblages from wave-exposed intertidal mussel stands along the Nova Scotia coast, Canada

Scrosati,

Ellrich

2024

PeerJ

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Heat Stress on the brown SeaweedAscophyllum nodosum: differential population sensitivity to future climate

Pereira,

Arenas,

Seabra

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Accurate forecasts of the biological impacts of climate change require a better understanding of how small-scale temperature variability affects individual physiology and population dynamics. But doing so for intertidal species with large distribution ranges, while also accounting for the effect of local adaptation, presents numerous technical challenges. Here, we assessed the macroecological consequences of thermal stress on the cold-adapted brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum across its European distribution. We collected specimens from ten populations spanning latitudes 41N to 60N and subjected them to simulated intertidal heat stress using a novel, custom-built experimental setup that replicated realistic conditions, including tidal cycles, light conditions, and temperature trajectories based on in situ data. Our factorial design comprised eight experimental treatments, combining two high-tide water temperatures (15 C and 20.5 C) with four low-tide peak temperatures (28.5 C to 40.5 C). Physiological performance was evaluated through measurements of growth, mortality, and oxygen production. Results indicate that thermal stress is more closely associated with the magnitude of temperature change between high and low tides rather than the absolute maximum temperatures reached. Algae exposed to warmer water temperatures (20.5 C) consistently outperformed those in colder water (15 C), suggesting that cold upwelled waters at the species' southern limit may not be essential for survival. Southern populations demonstrated higher resilience to thermal stress than central and northern counterparts. Integrating these physiological responses with climate projections, we employed demographic models to forecast long-term population dynamics. The models predict that future climatic conditions could exceed the thermal resilience of specific populations, leading to uneven impacts across the European distribution of the species. Notwithstanding, range contractions may occur at the warm edge of the distribution, where populations, though more resilient to thermal stress, could still be overwhelmed by the pace of warming. This study underscores the importance of realistic experimental simulations in evaluating species' thermal tolerance and highlights the potential for climate change to differentially impact populations along large latitudinal gradients.

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Aerial exposure and critical temperatures limit the survival of restored intertidal mussels

Cited by 2 publications

References 30 publications

Changes in the composition of invertebrate assemblages from wave-exposed intertidal mussel stands along the Nova Scotia coast, Canada

Changes in the composition of invertebrate assemblages from wave-exposed intertidal mussel stands along the Nova Scotia coast, Canada

Heat Stress on the brown SeaweedAscophyllum nodosum: differential population sensitivity to future climate

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